Vitamin D

Vitamin D in Swindon

Understanding the signs and symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency can help patients to support and manage their wellbeing.

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Vitamin D

Also referred to as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is a nutrient we absorb from food sources and a hormone we make in our bodies. It is fat-soluble and delivers multiple health benefits including aiding in the absorption of calcium and phosphate, and boosting bone and muscle health.

Children that lack vitamin D may suffer from bone conditions like rickets, while severely deficient adults may also experience softening of bones and bone pain. Lacking sufficient levels of vitamin D impairs the body’s ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus needed to maintain healthy and strong bones.

Research indicates that vitamin D may also help to reduce inflammation and inhibit cancer cell growth. It is also believed to help support the immune system, with studies showing that deficient people have an increased risk of suffering autoimmune complications and developing infections. There also appears to be a heightened risk of suffering depression for those with low levels of vitamin D.

Few foods are a naturally rich source of vitamin D. These include salmon, canned tuna, sardines, cod liver oil, egg yolks, and beef liver. To maintain adequate levels of vitamin D, a person would have to consume such foods daily and achieve the recommended daily intake of 400 IU per day. As these food items are also animal-based, there is an increased risk of deficiency for people that adhere to a plant-based diet.

For vegans and vegetarians, the best way to naturally acquire adequate amounts of vitamin D lies in consuming mushrooms, fortified foods, and/or exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The human body is also able to create vitamin D from sunlight. When the sun’s rays land on the skin, it provides the energy needed to synthesise vitamin D from cholesterol. However, we also need to be careful about too much exposure to sunlight due to harmful UV rays.

Many people wear sunscreen, keep covered up when outdoors, or rarely go outside often to avoid this exposure that can cause damage to skin, eyes and the immune system. Sunscreen alone can reduce vitamin D absorption by as over 90%. In more extreme cases, this deficiency can also lead to cancer. By avoiding sunlight to prevent such outcomes, many thus end up with vitamin D deficiency. In the UK, as much as 20% of adults and 16% of children are considered vitamin D deficient. As much as 41.6% of Americans may also be vitamin D deficient.

Vitamin D deficiency is quite common in many parts of the world where sun exposure can be limited, especially during the winter months. It is therefore common for such populations to rely on supplements, though health authorities may still recommend they be taken throughout the year. There is also the option of vitamin D boosters that have a better impact as they avoid the need to be absorbed through the gut where conversion and absorption can be inefficient.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak and brittle bones, amongst other health conditions. It occurs when a person:

consumes a diet with low vitamin D levels
has a condition that prevents absorption of vitamin D from diet
has a condition that requires a higher than normal amount of vitamin D intake
has a condition that disrupts normal digestion of fat (vitamin D being a fat-soluble nutrient)
has had surgery to remove part of the small intestine where vitamin D is absorbed
is obese, thus storing vitamin D in excess fatty tissue that makes it inaccessible when the body needs it
is inadequately exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period.

Some of the common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

bone pain
fatigue
muscle weakness or aches
feelings of depression
low energy levels
hair loss
impaired cognition

Also, vitamin D levels in the body can be lowered by taking certain medications such as steroids, laxatives, seizure, cholesterol-lowering, and weight-loss drugs.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are also at a high risk of suffering from vitamin D deficiency. This is because stocks of vitamin D in the body are often exhausted during pregnancy by the baby's growth and development.

Those with darker or older skin may also be at higher risk of deficiency as their skin may not be able to absorb sufficient amounts of vitamin D from sunlight exposure.

It is also possible to have too high a level of vitamin D in your system. This can come from taking too high an amount of vitamin D supplements that can in turn cause calcium levels to also rise. This toxicity can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and excessive thirst and urination.

Getting Tested

If you are at risk of having developed vitamin D deficiency, your vitamin D levels can be determined through a blood test. The test that is typically carried out is the 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D. To perform a test, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm or via a finger prick.

Options for treatment

Treatment options for vitamin D deficiency are normally guided by the level of deficiency and its cause. Skin tone, age and weight can also influence these options and dosage. Mild cases can often be resolved through diet changes and supplements.

There are two major types of vitamin D. They are:

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) – this is plant-based vitamin D that can be taken as a supplement or from fortified foods
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – this vitamin D is synthesised through the skin or can be absorbed from animal-based foods or fortified foods. Can also be taken as a supplement.

Vitamin D3 supplements are the preference as they are more potent, longer acting, and effectively absorbed by the body than vitamin D2. There is however still the option of Vitamin D2 supplements.

Those that suffer from severe deficiency and chronic conditions are better treated using vitamin D boosters. There are two ways by which a patient is administered vitamin D doses. These are:

IV Vitamin Therapy – following the blood test, the doctor can determine what nutrients are lacking or deficient in the patient and administer a customized IV drip to address all the deficiencies, including vitamin D.
Intramuscular booster – this is an booster of vitamin D into the muscle. The dosage can vary depending on the level of deficiency and is normally to be repeated every 3-6 months until the condition resolves.

Risks and Benefits of Vitamin D Boosters

Vitamin D boosters are generally considered safe for use in treating such deficiency. It is however prescription only medication and should be administered by a trained professional. In rare cases, it is possible to suffer side effects such as nausea and stomach ache. If the symptoms persist for longer than two days, do consult with your doctor.

If during your consultation with the doctor you are advised to take a vitamin D booster, it means you need a better way of absorbing this nutrient than through your digestive system or sunlight exposure. The impact of vitamin D boosters is often felt instantaneously and will help to restore your health faster. You will feel more energized, gain better immunity, stronger bones, and elevated mood. It may also contribute towards weight loss and help in better managing the symptoms of conditions like diabetes.